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Rhine Lab
- Research institute
- Scientific consortium
- Kristen Wright (co-founder, formerly)
- Saria (co-founder)
| “ | A famous technology organization from Columbia, committed to expanding the practical applications of all kinds of cutting-edge technology. | ” |
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Rhine Lab LLC. (R.L.) is a Terran organization. They are a Columbian research institute and scientific consortium active in the fields of Originium, biology, and robotics. Behind their stellar reputation, they conduct unethical, inhumane experiments to advance their research. Nevertheless, they have become a pioneer in many Terran fields, including space expedition.
Background[edit]
Foundation[edit]
Rhine Lab was founded in 1083 by Dr. Kristen Wright and Saria, two like-minded graduates from the Trimounts Institute of Technology. Their purpose was to pursue scientific advancements and, in Kristen's case, to carry on the legacy of her parents in exploring space beyond Terra. The company had humble beginnings, with its first office being an old apartment near their former college. [1] A year later, Muelsyse, a young Elf girl, joined the duo. Despite this, Rhine Lab struggled with management and financial affairs. They heavily relied on investors and other third parties' funds, and their projects were limited to high-energy physics and life research. This would change in 1085 when Jara Wilson referred the company to multiple investors, securing funding from organizations that included the Maylander Foundation and a military-backed venture capital agency. This provided enough investment to upgrade Rhine Lab into a formal LLC. In the same year, Ahrens Parvis and Ferdinand Clooney joined the company as well.[2][3]
R.L. eventually became one of Terra's biggest scientific organizations, renowned for its Originium-related research and developments in robotics, medicine, and ecological studies. Through collaboration with the Maylander Foundation, the company began attracting more researchers to join its ranks. In 1090, Rhine Lab's "Section System" was established; Kristen Wright became the Director of the Component Controls section and head of the company, while Saria took up the position as chief of the Defense section. Jara became director of the Human Resource Investigation Section. Two years later, the Scientific Investigation and Engineering Sections were established, with Andenate Maryam and Nasti Lunorey appointed as their respective directors. At the same time, Justin Fitzroy Jr. became the head of the Business Section, and the construction of Rhine Lab's new headquarters was completed.[3]
However, the company began to involve itself in ethically questionable research, which they simply deemed "unavoidable." The company accepted funding from the Columbian Department of Defense (DOD) as part of the nation's goal to achieve technological superiority over other Terran superpowers. The researchers began pursuing their work with a disregard for the risks, all in the name of science. For example, to uncover the secrets of Originium, Joyce Moore volunteered to have an Originium chip implanted in her brain. This experiment failed, leaving her with severe Oripathy and affected brain functions. In an attempt to replicate the results, her friend and the project's researcher, Dellareed, tried the experiment on herself but perished.[4] Rhine Lab also secretly invested the infamous Loken Watertank Laboratory, and after its downfall, it inherited its research data and remaining subjects.[5]
Diαbolic Crisis[edit]
- Main article: Rhodes Island's Records of Originium - Rhine Lab
The "Diαbolic Crisis" of 1095 was a major experiment meltdown that publicized their unethical research methods. The incident stemmed from "Project Diαbolic", a classified experiment launched by Haydn Pharmaceutical and supervised by the DOD. The project was an attempt to create human weapons by implanting Diablo Sarkaz fragments in living creatures, one of which was a young Savran test subject codenamed "Ifrit". Rhine Lab served as an investment partner for the project to both gain benefits and to use Haydn as a "bagman" to cover up their leadership.[6] During the course of the experiment, "Ifrit" went out of control, resulting in the fiery destruction of Haydn's laboratory (codenamed "Lab-1") and the death of CEO Haydn Ramt.[7]
Despite the Lab-1 meltdown, the project was secretly transferred to R.L. under the supervision of Professor Parvis. Rhine Lab re-initiated the project by disguising it as a rehabilitation therapy titled "Chimeric Treatment," a medical experiment intended to relieve the symptoms of Ifrit's Oripathy by injecting her with Originium shards under controlled settings, despite the side effects. R.L. eventually failed to suppress Ifrit's rage when they accidentally awoke Ifrit's Diαbolic ego, leading to a severe burndown. R.L. unleashed their defense forces to suppress her rampage, which almost led to the subject's death by their hands. [8]
The "Diαbolic Crisis" left lasting repercussions. To begin with, R.L. concealed all details of the incident, publicly dismissing it as nothing more than an accident.[7] Their efforts successfully obscured the event from much of the staff and even the company's upper echelons, including Dorothy Franks, who joined the company and assumed her directorship a year after the incident.[3] Disgusted by R.L.'s ongoing unethical practices, Saria, one of the company's co-founders, resigned from her office, although her position was nominally retained by Kristen.
Dr. Olivia Silence, another major whistleblower, was kept under R.L.'s supervision, but she managed to seek refuge at Rhodes Island as a representative of R.L.'s business partnership, so that she could sever her ties with them and quietly transfer Ifrit under its care. Although both Silence and Saria stayed at Rhodes Island as dissidents seeking protection, R.L. maintained close oversight, frequently dispatching representatives to ensure the two could not jeopardize their interests. The departure of Saria resulted in a dramatic surge in unethical experiments and scandals in the subsequent years. Without her moral restraint, R.L. became notorious for its dubious practices, cementing its reputation as a hub of conspiracy theories and public suspicion. [3]
Horizon Arc Project[edit]
- Main article: Horizon Arc Project
In 1097, Kristen disappeared from the public eye, coinciding with R.L.'s shift in focus toward its collaboration with the DOD, codenamed the "Horizon Arc Project": a superweapons program with the purpose of reinforcing Columbia's defense integrity in response to the Military Commission of Kazdel's "Shard".[9][10] During this period, rumors of Kristen's retirement from R.L., amongst other unconfirmed news and speculation, began to circulate as many Columbian media outlets reported that R.L. had declined multiple collaboration proposals from other companies. In response, Ferdinand issued an official statement claiming that he would temporarily lead the company on Kristen's behalf. However, behind the scenes, Ferdinand was secretly plotting to take control of R.L.[3][11]
In truth, Kristen had not left R.L. but instead was secretly visiting a massive Predecessor complex to seek "answers" from Trevor Friston, the "Preserver." The complex, dubbed the "Hall of Stasis" by R.L.'s researchers, was discovered beneath Trimounts in 1096 by Nasti and the Scientific Expedition Section. Researchers initially found no correlation between its inscriptions and those of ancient Teekaz ruins. For a long time, Kristen had been gathering information about the now-gone Predecessors of Terra from Friston, particularly regarding the Starpod—the "fake sky" of Terra. Viewing Friston as a "god," Kristen aimed to harness the Sarcophagii's energy to power the Horizon Arc's Arc-01, aka "Galleria Stellaria" and achieve her dream of reaching the endless sea of stars.[12]
On November 21, 1099, the Horizon Arc Project was officially launched as part of R.L.'s collaboration with the DOD. However, in a shocking turn of events, R.L. itself hijacked the Arc-01 under Kristen's direction as part of her ultimate ambition. Rhine Lab succeeded in penetrating the Starpod and created a unique phenomenon later referred to as the "Trimounts Arc" by future generations. Although R.L. ultimately lost Kristen in the process, the event marked Terra's first modern attempt to breach the Starpod and laid the groundwork for the current era's space exploration initiatives. The aftermath of the event, however, left R.L. in dire straits; with Kristen lost in deep space and Parvis' death during the project, Saria would later take over R.L.'s administration.
On December 5, 1099, Silence — who was the first R.L. employee to publicly address their discrepancies and violations — published the "Trimounts Ethics in Scientific Research Joint Declaration", a series of guidelines that could help set ethical standards within the Columbian scientific community.[13]
| Transcription of the "Trimounts Ethics in Scientific Research Joint Declaration"[14] |
|---|
Hello, everyone. My name is Olivia Silence, sponsor of the "Trimounts Ethics in Scientific Research Joint Declaration." I stand here today because I want to make a statement, or rather, point out some issues that have been ignored for the past few decades. |
Organization[edit]
Section System[edit]
R.L. has ten departments in total, referred to as Sections, each performing different tasks and led by the Board of Directors, also known as Rhine Lab's top ten elites.[15][16] The core of R.L. is the Component Control Section (CMPT CTRL), historically run by Kristen Wright, which manages general affairs across all departments. Beneath the Control Section are five scientific research sections and four general affair sections. Each scientific research section has its own specific focus and approach, with directors holding the authority not only to influence the workflow but also to manage commercial commissions aligned with their respective research areas. Kristen rarely took part in the sections' small-scale projects. However, when a project impacted the entire company, or when there was a commission requiring collaboration across multiple sections, the Board of Directors could directly approach Kristen for her input. Only after she made the final decision would the scientific research sections implement the formulated profit distribution plan between the company and the Component Control Section.[16] The general affairs sections, on the other hand, function similarly to the administrative departments of a general company (i.e., human resource management, business affairs).
Scientific Research[edit]
- Ecological Section (ECO): The department that investigates the history of biological evolution on Terra and its interaction with Terra's environment.
- Energy Section (NRG): The department that conducts research on various forms of energy on Terra (e.g. Originium, sunlight, geothermal, and biothermal) and their practical applications in technology.
- Originium Arts Section (ORIG): The department that explores the basic principles of Originium Arts and its applications.
- Scientific Investigation Section (SCIEN): The department that consists of explorers who venture outside the borders of Terran civilization (e.g., to Infy Icefield) to investigate its mysteries and uncover relics of Terra's previous civilization. The S.I.S. is the leader of R.L.'s Pioneer Project. Despite initial criticism, Kristen managed to push forward the section's development and launched a series of initial field surveys.
- Structural Section (STRU): The department that investigates the basic particles (e.g., elements, atoms, and biological molecules) of living beings on Terra and how they are affected by their surroundings.
General affairs[edit]
- Business Section (BSN): The department that handles public affairs and communications with other corporations.
- Defense Section (DEF): The department that deals with R&D and security issues, including laboratory emergencies. It also handles undisclosed and classified information. Prior to the Diαbolic Crisis, it was considered the most powerful section, with the authority to terminate projects and assess risks from a security perspective.
- Engineering Section (ENG): The department that provides mechanical and robotic support for R.L.'s researchers.
- Human Resource Investigation Section (HRI): The department responsible for human resource management.
Along with its scientific endeavors, the Maylander Foundation also assisted R.L. in initiating the Rhine Lab Pioneer Project: a series of archeological expeditions aimed at uncovering ancient ruins, many of which were originally part of the civilization that once colonized Terra.
Notable people[edit]
Section directors[edit]
| Character | Information
|
Status
|
|---|---|---|
| Founding member and director of the Components Control Section. Currently under stasis in deep space; position succeeded by Saria. | Missing
| |
| Founding member and former director of the Defense Section. Unilaterally resigned in the aftermath of the Diαbolic Crisis, later succeeded Kristen as the director of Control after the Trimounts Arc incident; previous position succeeded by an unnamed member of DEF. | Alive
| |
| Director of Ecological Section, joined in 1084. One of the few active Elves in modern Terra. | Alive
| |
| Full name Nasti Lunorey; director of Engineering Section, joined in 1092. A prominent Banshee Sarkaz researcher in the Columbian academia who conceptualizes a floating city dedicated to the Sarkaz. | Alive
| |
| Full name Dorothy Franks; director of Originium Arts Section, joined in 1096 as Rhine Lab's youngest member who invented the Transmitters. | Alive
| |
| Former director of Human Resource Investigation Section, joined in 1085. A former agent of Maylander and entertainment celebrity before joining R.L. as well as Kristen's adopter. Retired after the Trimounts Arc incident; position succeeded by an unnamed member of HRI. | Alive
| |
| Director of Structural Section, joined in 1085. Died from complications while subjecting himself to a Chimera Treatment experiment; position succeeded by an unnamed member of the Columbian academic circle. | Deceased
| |
| Director of Energy Section, joined in 1085; position temporarily suspended after the incident at Site 359. Returned to his position following the Trimounts Arc incident. | Alive
| |
| Director of Business Section, joined in 1092. | Alive
| |
| Andenate Maryam | Director of Scientific Investigation Section, joined in 1092. Went missing during an expedition to the Infy Icefield, but is later confirmed to have survived. | Alive
|
Staff members[edit]
| Character | Information
|
Status
|
|---|---|---|
| Full name Olivia Silence; Ahrens Parvis' protege, unilaterally resigned in the aftermath of the Diαbolic Crisis. | Alive
| |
| Returned to R.L. during the events of Lone Trail. Currently acts as Saria's secretary and the supervisor of Trimounts Ethics in Scientific Research Joint Declaration. | Alive
| |
| A Savra test subject implanted with the shards of a Diαblo by Haydn Pharmaceuticals. Taken by R.L. after an incident that destroyed Haydn's facility, and brought into Rhodes Island by Silence in the aftermath of the Diαbolic Crisis. | Alive
| |
| Real name Joyce Moore; formerly a database maintenance staff member. Voluntarily implanted with an Originium-based DNI as part of an experiment. | Alive
| |
| Full name Mayer Stony; member of ENG, best known for creating Meeboos, aka. Robotters. Currently partnered with Closure of the Rhodes Island Engineering Department. | Alive
| |
| Full name Venta Magallan; member of SCIEN, best known for her explorations to the Infy Icefield as depicted in Expeditioner's Joklumarkar. | Alive
| |
| Full name Astgenne Urbica, also known as Elena Urbica; former member of NRG, transferred to Rhodes Island following the incident at Site 359. Younger twin sister of Astesia. | Alive
| |
| Astgenne during the events of Retracing Our Steps 1101. | Alive
|
Other notable people[edit]
- Dellareed☠: A Rhine Lab researcher who studied the possibility of integrating Originium with computers and the organic mind through a direct neural interface, as well as Joyce's friend. She implanted the Originium-based "Device #9" into Joyce's brain. She re-attempted the procedure on herself and passed away, leading to her project team's disbandment.[17]
- Reg: A Liberi security guard of the Defense Section. He assisted Saria in retrieving Ifrit from the Haydn Lab-1 ruins, and later in evacuating the R.L. personnel during the "Diabolic Crisis." [6]
- Albert: A Caprinae researcher and colleague of Silence, who was responsible for taking care of Ifrit. He also helped Silence and Lamy in developing a neuro-anesthetic to feign Ifrit's death and sneak her out of the lab.[18]
- Lamy: A Liberi researcher from the Structural Section who helped take care of Ifrit.
- Leon: A Phidian researcher of the Structural Section with an arrogant demeanor.[19]
- Jane: A Phidian researcher of the Structural Section, hailing from a town where Oripathy had became a serious problem. Ironically, she also criticizes some of her coworkers and patients for being Infected.[19][20]
Enemies[edit]
| Normal |     |
|---|---|
| Elite |        |
| Boss |  |
Interactions[edit]
| Operator | Subject | Interaction |
|---|---|---|
 |
Expenditure Economization | Rhine Lab Operators (including Muelsyse herself) have their DP cost reduced by 2, with the one first deployed having their DP cost further reduced by 1 (2 at Potential 5).
|
 |
Refreshment | When Saria's GUA-X Operator Module is upgraded to Stage 3, R.L. Operators (including Saria herself) restore 3 SP from Refreshment.
|
 |
Plumes of Plenty | The talent's effect is doubled for R.L. Operators (including the Paradigmatic herself).
|
Gallery[edit]
Facilities[edit]
The hall of the R.L. headquarters
A right-facing corridor in an R.L. research building
A left-facing corridor in an R.L. research building
One of R.L.'s many labs
An R.L. meeting room
The Control Office, Kristen Wright's workspace
An R.L. observation post
Personnel[edit]
A male Liberi R.L. staff member
A female Liberi R.L. staff member
R.L. security personnel from the Defense Section
Kristen's security personnel from the Components Control Section
A wearer of R.L.'s latest, state-of-the-art R-series powered exoskeleton
Artwork[edit]
NoriZC's artwork for Arknights CN's 1st anniverary, featuring Ifrit, Magallan, and Muelsyse
NoriZC's artwork for Arknights CN's 2nd anniverary, featuring Saria and Silence
NoriZC's artwork for the launch countdown of Arknights Global in KR. Notice how Silence's drone has a different attack range.
Media[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- According to NoriZC, Rhine Lab's logo was originally meant to be resembling an owl with a ◊ representing its beak, which was later removed for artistic reasons.[21]
- All but five of Rhine Lab's Operators (Dorothy, Astgenne, Nasti, Mayer, and Ptilopsis) are illustrated by NoriZC. Excluding Dorothy and Ptilopsis, they have elemental motifs, which is sometimes highlighted in NoriZC's personal artwork:
- The date that Project Horizon Arc was launched, November 21, is the date of the first true hot air balloon flight, a monumental development in aviation research on Earth.[23]
- According to NoriZC, Rhine Lab was basically designed around Ifrit. Starting off as a character suffering from Oripathy, it later expanded to the people that protected her, the people she protected, and the people she cares about. The background lore was conceived around the idea that the institution that protected her was also the main cause of her suffering, as well as the medical care, technology, and power it should have, and the countries/camps it should belong to.[24]
